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Volume 53, Issue 4, 2025

Online ISSN: 2560-3310

ISSN: 0350-8773

Volume 53 , Issue 4, (2025)

Published: 30.06.2025.

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01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Factors associated with involuntary hospitalization

In clinical practice, involuntary hospitalization in psychiatry is a procedure that patients with severe mental disorders are subject to due to the inability to make rational treatment decisions.. The prevalence of involuntary hospitalizations varies widely within and between countries. Involuntary admission to a hospital for psychiatric treatment can be life-saving and may be considered beneficial to some people in the long run. However, the experience of involuntary treatment can be traumatic, intimidating, stigmatizing, and lead to long-term avoidance of mental health services and an increased risk of rehospitalization. In this paper, we have considered the risk factors for involuntary hospitalizations and their frequency in the region and Europe.

Emilija Novaković, Ivana Stašević-Karličić, Mirjana Stojanović-Tasić, Tatjana Novaković, Jovana Milošević, Vladan Đorđević

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Lichen planus disseminatus partim vesiculosus after COVID-19 vaccine

Introduction: Lichen planus is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can be associated with infections, drugs and vaccines. As concerning the potential triggering effect of vaccine, there is evidence a few cases of new-onset lichen planus that appeared after COVID vaccine, particularly the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Case report: This report is a case of a newonset lichen planus triggered by the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine administration in a healthy young female. Dermatological examination revealed polygonal, itchy, erythematous papules on trunk, upper and lower limbs, that coalesced into brownish plaques in the ankles, flexural wrist and knee. No mucosal involvement was noted. In view of the clinical picture, the timing of the skin eruption with respect to the vaccine and the histopathologic findings, a vaccine-induced lichen planus triggered by the COVID-19 vaccine has been diagnosed. Conclusion: Lichen planus or lichenoid-like eruption as a cutaneous manifestation following COVID-19 vaccines are rare, and the pathogenesis for its development is still unclear. Clinical trials showed that the leading vaccines upregulate Tcell response (Th1) and incrementing inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as lichen planus. Although we still do not completely understand its pathogenesis, dermatologists should be aware of the possibility and keep an eye out for worsening or debut of this disease after the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated patients should be monitored for skin manifestations, and dermatological evaluation should be offered, when needed.

Dragica Milosavljević, Milijana Relić, Mirjana Stojanović-Tasić

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

The impact of body weight on the secondary osification centers development and the term of closure of the anterior fontanelle in infants

Introduction: during the infant development, the organ growth is influenced by genetic factors, diet, hormones and many neuropeptides. The secondary ossification center in the hip joint begins to form around the 4th month of life. Primary dentition begins at the age of 5-6 months with the emergence of the central incisor in the maxilla. At birth, 6 fontanelles are present between the plate bones of the cranium. The largest is the anterior or large fontanelle. Objective of our research is to analyze the development of the secondary ossification center in the femoral head in relation to dentition and closure of the anterior fontanelle closure as well as influence of childrens' birth weight and current weight on these processes. Methodology: The study included 284 infants, male and female, aged 3 to 8 months. Clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system, anthropomentric measurements and ultrasonographic findings of the hip joint were performed at the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Center Pristina in Gracanica. Results: The development of secondary ossification centre correlated with child's age, dentition, anterior fontanelle closure, birth weight and delivery method, as well as actual body weight. Anterior fontanelle size was inversely related to age, body weight and secondary ossification. Conclusions: According to regression analysis, body weight is the only factor that has a direct and independent impact on the onset and progression of ossification process. Every additional kilogram of a child's body weight accelerates secondary ossification by 1.3-3.77 times.

Snežana Marković-Jovanović, Aleksandar Jovanović, Radojica Stolić, Milica Popović, Danijela Ivanović

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Importance of postoperative pain and possibilities of prevention and treatment

The paper presents the importance of acute postoperative pain, the risk factors for its occurrence and intensity, instruments for its measurement and assessment, as well as the possibilities of prevention and treatment. The fact that post-surgical pain represents not only a subjective unpleasant experience for the patient, but also a factor that significantly contributes to complications and unfavorable outcomes of surgical treatment is well known. Despite that, postoperative pain can be seen very often. To successfully prevent and relieve pain, it is necessary to establish a possible cause-and-effect relationship between the occurrence and intensity of postoperative pain, type of surgical intervention, anesthesia technique, demographic characteristics of patients, comorbidities, chronic therapy, and family and socioeconomic factors. Besides the application of recommendations from the current guidelines and protocols for the prevention and treatment of post-surgical pain to achieve positive treatment outcomes, an individual approach to each patient and the application of multimodal analgesia techniques that include the use of different classes of analgesics, co-analgesics, and non-pharmacological measures, based on modern ERAS-protocols aimed at accelerated recovery after surgical intervention should also be employed.

Anka Tošković, Marina Stojanović, Ksenija Jovanović, Jovan Jozić, Milan Jovanović, Nevena Kalezić

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Arterial hypertension in geriatric population

INTRODUCTION Chronic non-contagious diseases: heart and blood vessel diseases, malignant tumors, diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, injuries and poisoning, mental health disorders and others, have dominated the world and our national pathology for decades. Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the present, which affects in more than 60% of people over the age of 60, and represents a risk factor for infarction, insult, chronic heart failure, renal insufficiency, progressive atherosclerosis and dementia, indicating the importance of hypertension frequency testing in the geriatric population in our country and in the world. OBJECTIVE is to point out the specificity, the high frequency and the risk of hypertension in the geriatric population in our country and in the world. METHODS We analyzed the data and literature in the field of geriatrics, internal medicine, neurology, public health, social medicine and health statistics in the part dealing with the protection of the health of the elderly in our country and in the world. The research was conducted through the analysis of previous scientific research obtained from the literature and the search of electronic databases in accordance with the areas defined in the aim of the work. Using the analytical observational method, all necessary data on this topic were collected, recorded and analyzed. A systematic review of the literature in the researched area was carried out, with the aim of reviewing the methodological characteristics of published studies in the mentioned area. Relevant papers based on this search were collected in full text. Data were extracted from such works, analyzed and presented in this paper. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of elderly mortality, and it is believed that by removing it in people over the age of 65, the life expectancy would be prolonged for 16 years. The results of some studies show that a third of patients over the age of 65 have isolated systolic hypertension, which is a significant risk factor for apoplexy. In developed countries, the geriatric population is on the rise and reaches more than 30% of the general population, and cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases and causes of mortality in this population. Studies have shown that the incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events is doubled in patients over 65 years of life with hypertension. Only two groups of diseases, heart and blood vessels diseases and malignant tumors, account for over half of all causes of death. In the Republic of Serbia, in 2021 the population aged 65 and over accounted for 21.28% of the population, while the percentage representation of very old people, over 85 years of age, is constantly increasing. Observed since 2002, more than 100,000 people die annually in Serbia from all causes of death, and almost every second resident of Serbia dies from diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The burden of diseases of the circulatory system or diseases of the heart and blood vessels is on the rise globally, and in recent years in Serbia, on average, 55% of people who have died are victims of one of the diseases from this group. The most common diagnosis within the group of diseases of the cardiovascular system is essential arterial hypertension. The most common causes of death in 2021 belong to the following groups of diseases (according to ICD-10 - International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization): Diseases of the circulatory system 41.4%; Tumors 15.1%; Diseases of the respiratory system 5.3%; Diseases of glands with internal secretion, nutrition and metabolism 2.6%. Diseases of the heart, blood vessels and malignant tumors accounted for over half (55.7%) of all causes of death in 2021 in Serbia. As many as 41.4% of all deaths were the result of dying from diseases of the circulatory system, and every sixth person who died (15.1%) was a victim of a malignant tumor. Studies have shown that in patients over 65 years of age with hypertension, the frequency of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events is twice as high. CONCLUSION Hypertension is very common in elderly and is a growing problem for them, their family and entire community, as it significantly affects the quality of their lives. The number of elderly in general population is increasing and a growing number of them is with hypertension. Successful prevention can significantly affect the reduction in the incidence of this disease in the population of elderly, which would certainly be one of the priority tasks in improving their health and quality of life.

Ljiljana Kulić, Vesna Krstović-Spremo

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Prevention of micronutrient deficiencies in the elderly

The ageing process is characterized by numerous changes in the body that negatively affect the health, lifestyle and diet of the elderly. An adequate and balanced diet plays a vital role in the quality of life of the elderly, including physical, mental and social health. Physiological decline in food intake in the elderly is a risk factor for certain micronutrient deficiencies such as osteoporosis, anaemia and decreased immunity. To prevent these public health diseases, it is suggested to promote the intake of foods of animal origin (offal, meat) to prevent iron and vitamin B group deficiency. An adequate intake of anthocyanidins, fruits and vegetables with blue-purple pigments is recommended for the prevention of anaemia. Adequate intake is also important, i.e. intake of at least two portions of dairy products per day and fish products per week in combination with physical activity can provide adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D for the prevention of osteoporosis. The intake of fresh or minimally processed foods has played a significant role in ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin C, which, in addition to improving iron absorption and preventing anaemia, also affects the proper functioning of the immune system. For the same reason, it is recommended to take vitamin A from offals or beta-carotene from yellow-brown and orange fruits and vegetables. In general, appropriate nutritional interventions can be effective and financially effective forms of preventing and treating micronutrient deficits, thus improving the overall quality of life of the elderly

Dora Serenče, Hajnalka Požar

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Coronary sinus, microanatomical study

INTRODUCTION: Complete appreciation of the cardiac venous system requires an understanding of its embryological basis, its usual patterns of distribution, and its common variations. AIM: The aim of our study was to improve our understanding of the coronary sinus morphometrical and topographical anatomy. METHODS: The investigations were carried out on 25 human hearts (from 11 male and 14 female persons of mean age 59.5; range: 40 to 75 years). The classic anatomical technique of microdissection (using neurosurgical microinstruments) was performed under the stereoscopic microscope on 10 specimens injected with a 10% formaldehyde solution. The arteries and veins of an additional 15 hearts were injected with methylmethacrylate and immersed in a 40% solution of NaOH for corrosion. Following washing out and drying, the obtained vascular casts were examined and measured. RESULTS: Coronary sinus (CS) extends from the opening of the oblique vein of the left atrium into the great cardiac vein, to its empty orifice into the right atrium. The length of CS varied between 22.4 and 41.4 mm (mean 33.0 ± 6.1 mm). The diameter of CS at its beginning was 5.0 - 9.6 mm (mean 6.6 ± 1.3 mm), and its diameter at its atrial mouth varied from 6.6 - 12.0 mm (mean 8.4 ± 1.6 mm). The CS had varied relationships to the branches of the left or right coronary arteries. It extended superficial and above the artery in 16 (64%) hearts, and close superficial to the artery in 9 (36%) cases. Duplication of the superior vena cava associated with an aberrant left hepatic vein was found in one case. The persistent left superior vena cava, which drained into the right atrium via the enlarged coronary sinus, was formed by the persistence of the left anterior cardinal vein. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the coronary sinus, created in an early stage of embryological development, is an important collecting vessel receiving the main veins of the heart.

Ema Bexheti, Emilija Novaković, Zdravko Vitošević, Milan Milisavljević

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the appendix in acute appendicitis

Introduction: Echosonography of the appendix is the primary method in the diagnostic algorithm of acute appendicitis, after clinical and laboratory examination. Non-invasiveness, availability and easy performance are the advantages of this method in detecting acute appendicitis. Aim: The research aimed to determine the morphological characteristics of the appendix, as well as to evaluate the role of echo sonography in the exploration and visualization of pathological changes in the appendix in acute appendicitis. Material and methods: The cross-sectional study included 59 people who underwent appendectomy and echosonographic examination of the abdomen and pelvis within the Department of Radiological Diagnostics of UHC "Dr Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje" in Belgrade. Results: In 48 out of a total of 59 people (81.4%), there were echosonographic signs of acute appendicitis, of which incompressibility of the wall was present in 40 people (83%), diameter of the appendix over 6mm in 38 (79%), wall thickness over 3mm in 45 (94%), target sign in 33 (69%), hypervascularization of the wall in 28 (58%), as well as the presence of fecoliths with nonhomogeneous content intraluminally in 15 (31.2%) persons. The sensitivity of echosonographic examination for obtaining positive results in persons with acute appendicitis was 86.5%. The specificity of the echosonographic examination to obtain negative results in persons who do not have acute inflammation of the appendix was 57.1%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 93.7%. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 36.4%. The accuracy of the method was 83.1%. Conclusion: Based on the high sensitivity values of the tests tested in this cross-sectional study, we estimate that echosonographic examination has a primary role in the diagnostic algorithm of a person with suspected acute appendicitis.

Milica Perić, Sava Stajić, Tatjana Filipović, Sanja Gašić, Teodora Jorgaćević, Marko Stalević

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Case report of Parkinson's disease and orthostatic hypotension

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is an idiopathic, slow progressive neurodegenerative condition with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta of the midbrain. Due to cardiovascular dysautonomia and impaired baroreflex function in Parkinson's disease, the development of orthostatic hypotension is most common, along with increased blood pressure variability, supine hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, etc. Orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and the risk of overall, and cardiovascular mortality. Case report: Orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease is associated with an increased risk of gait disturbances, loss of balance, falls resulting in injuries and limb fractures, and mortality. In this paper, we presented a patient who had previously been treated for arterial hypertension, with the current clinical presentation of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease. After neurological evaluation and the implementation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy for orthostatic hypotension, gradual improvement and stabilization of blood pressure values are achieved, along with a reduction in orthostatic hypotension symptoms and a decrease in subjective discomfort. Conclusion: In the presence of orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease, in addition to pharmacological therapy, nonpharmacological treatment measures are very important for stabilizing blood pressure values and reducing the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.

Miloš Mijalković, Nikola Vukašinović

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Fournier 's gangrene: Literature review and case report

Fournier's gangrene is a progressive necrotizing bacterial dermo-hypodermitis of the perineum and external genitalia. It represents a secondary polymicrobial infection with an aerobic and anaerobic group of bacteria, which have a synergistic effect in the development of this disease. Fournier's gangrene is an urgent, potentially life-threatening, medical condition that requires a multimodal approach: surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue, resuscitation of the patient, and the application of a broad spectrum of antibiotic therapy. We present the case of a 45-year-old male, referred to our department due to pain and swelling of the perineal region and scrotum, in the initial stage of Fournier's gangrene. The patient was hospitalized, a surgical incision and drainage of the areas affected by gangrene were made, and he underwent surgical treatment of the wound and intensive suppurative therapy for 23 days. After 23 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged for home treatment with prior suturing of the incisional wounds, with an orderly local status and good general condition. Timely incision, debridement and application of intensive therapy in a condition such as Fournier's gangrene is of crucial importance. In this way, the possibility of potential complications, the progression of local to systemic disease, as well as the percentage of fatal outcome, is reduced.

Aleksandar Jakovljević, Gojko Igrutinović, Nikola Miljković, Mladen Kasalović, Danijela Vićentijević

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